Iraqi Vice President Khudayr al-Khuzaie has reiterated the resolve of Baghdad in its decision to expel the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) terrorist group, describing its members as ‘persona non grata’.

We insist on the expulsion of the terrorist group from Iraq, al-Khuzaie said, adding that the MKO members are not considered guests, but “persona non-grata”.

The Iranian terrorists, who fled to Iraq in the mid-1980s after conducting many terrorist operations against the country’s officials as well as ordinary citizens, also committed numerous crimes against the Iraqi people and helped executed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to suppress several uprisings in the country.

Al-Khuzaie also referred to the cooperation between Iraq and the United Nations with respect to the MKO’s expulsion from Iraq, adding that Iran has expressed its willingness to receive those members of the terrorist group that are willing to abandon terrorist activities and return to Iran.

Earlier in September, the Iraqi government and the United Nations reached a deal, under which they agreed to relocate 3,400 MKO members living in Camp Ashraf, near Baghdad, until their refugee status is determined.

Nearly 750 members of the MKO expressed preference to return to Iran. The Islamic Republic had announced that it would pardon all the residents of Camp Ashraf except less than 100 individuals that have criminal records in the country.

The MKO is listed as a terrorist organization by much of the international community and is responsible for numerous acts of terror and violence against Iranian civilians and government officials.

Iran has repeatedly called on the Iraqi government to expel the group, but the US has blocked the expulsion by mounting pressure on the Iraqi government.